Page 80 of Ember

“Oh, hey, I can help.” He reached for the bowl, his hands brushing mine.

I hid my grimace. “Thanks.”

“You enjoyed the show?” he asked, standing in my way and making no move to leave.

“I loved it,” I said, injecting false cheer. “The blend of eighties nostalgia along with retro horror is top notch.”

“It’s so well done.” He nodded, his face getting animated. “The creators really knew what they were doing when they blended the socioeconomic fears against the worry about government control.”

“They did. Also, monsters.”

He cocked his head. “You smell different. Seems like you found some alphas to date after all.”

His pleasant expression didn’t change, but a hint of resentment colored his voice.

I shrugged. “It just happened. One thing led to another. I couldn’t have planned it, even if I had a crystal ball.”

“So that means the pack is open for a beta,” he said with forced cheer. “Two omegas and two alphas are definitely going to need a beta.”

“It’s hard enough dating three new people—” I started.

“Just tell me I’m not good enough,” he snapped. “Go on, right to my face.”

“Greg,” I sighed. “It’s not you.”

“What is it, then? Am I not attractive enough? I know you’re way out of my league but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t spend every single second of the day worshiping the ground you walked on.”

“It’s not you,” I said again, feeling vaguely ashamed and confused. Like I should be attracted to him, if only to make his ego less bruised. Even though that was a stupid thought.

“Have I not been a nice enough friend?” He gestured around us, the hand holding the bowl of dip shaking. “Inviting you over for parties, finding you songs to listen to, being nice to your omega boyfriend, bringing you lunch.”

“That was very nice,” I started, feeling like the conversation was getting wildly out of hand.

“Oh, I’m glad,” he snapped. “So glad that was nice for the princess.”

“This is why,” I snarled. “Because everything you do isn’t to be nice, Greg. It’s so you can try to guilt me into sleeping with you.”

West appeared in the doorway, a dangerous look on his face. I shook my head at my omega. I didn’t want to spend the night in jail.

“Because you act like I owe you a date.” I set the chips down. “You can’t just be a good friend. You have to use it to cash in on what you think you’re entitled to. Which is nothing.”

Sabrina and Jace appeared behind West, both of them looking angry.

“For the love of god, Greg, lay off,” Jace said.

Greg’s face crumpled. “Look, Ember, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.”

I shook my head. “Get out of my way.”

Greg reached out for me, but West grabbed him from behind and pulled him into a choke hold as quick as breathing.

Greg made a strangled noise, and West moved him out of the way.

Sabrina looked at us. “You okay?”

“I’m leaving,” I said, tearing burning in my eyes. “I just want my nest.”

West let go of Greg and whispered something in his ear. Probably a threat. We left, and I rubbed my left arm down West’s side the entire drive back to the cottage, trying to get the lingering scent of rosemary and patchouli off me.

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